Globalisation of the world’s money markets has taken a big step forward as stock exchanges in Brazil, Hong Kong, Russia, India, South Africa announced they will cross-list each others’ stock index futures and contracts for index options.
Author archives: Permabusiness
Burma releases political prisoners
Burma’s government has freed numerous dissidents signalling a desire for reform. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/9e7affae-f493-11e0-a286-00144feab49a.html
The unintended consequences of QE
Quantitative Easing was intended to kick-start the economy by tackling the credit crunch, making new credit available in the US and Europe. What actually happened was that the financial institutions preferred to place the money where they could get a bigger return — emerging markets — with the result that not only did the intended …
Activist shareholders increase pressure on large companies, call for sell-offs
There has been a near-doubling in the number of companies worth more than $1bn who have come under pressure from “activist shareholders” to rethink their strategies and corporate governance. The result is that these companies are engaging earlier and more carefully with shareholder groups in order to avoid fights at AGM voting time. Focus is …
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Global salaries are equalising
But the change is coming slowly. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/3aa54f1a-f3fe-11e0-b221-00144feab49a.html
World grain output grows
Although US grain production was hit by bad weather, global production of wheat, rice and corn have risen on the back of higher market prices — by around 10%-40% in the past 11 years. Russia is still imposing an export cap, the Thai government is stockpiling rice, and grain supplies remain “on a razor’s edge” …
British Government lacks a strategy
Strategy means choosing what not to do, but the UK government is committed to “ambitious goals on pretty much everything.” “That’s not a strategy: it is an all you can eat buffet.” “Britain’s governments should set long term goals.” http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/0fedc67a-f3ff-11e0-b221-00144feab49a.html
Cyberwarfare and cybertheft
China is dramatically increasing its capabilities both in cyberware and cybertheft. http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/33dc83e4-c800-11e0-9501-00144feabdc0.html
GE’s growth values
General Electric is one of the most respected companies in the world, and ex-GE managers are currently CEOs of ABB, Honeywell and Boeing. Its most important production line? The one that produces its leaders. GE has spent two years rethinking what (and how) it teaches future GE leaders, and has just relaunched its five ‘growth values’. …
Positive thinking or Realistic thinking?
An interesting ten minute talk from the RSA, ranging from whether positive thinking is enough to get you a new job, to why the people who predicted the sub-prime mortgage problem (and problems in Iraq) weren’t listened to, and the alternatives to gloom and negativity. Realism: trying to figure out what is actually happening in …